A new era of humanitarian action

Alert 783, Mongolia — © Altankhuyag Otgonsuren, 2024

Start Network introduces Solidarity Fund

The Fund is designed to provide rapid, flexible financial support to frontline organisations to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and sustain essential humanitarian efforts.

A woman pulls a cart loaded with NFI kits in India. — NEADS, 2022

Strategy 2024-2026

Our focus for these three years reaffirms our commitment to humanitarian system change, modelled through practical action. We will focus on our key strengths and value offer as a networker, funder, innovator and influencer to help transform the sector into a more equitable, ethical and pro-active in protecting communities.

People walk through rubble in the aftermath of landsliding in Peru, to deliver hot meals to affected communities. — © ADRA, 2023

Locally-led action: The missing link in crisis finance

Reflecting on the recent report from the High-Level Panel on Closing the Crisis Protection Gap, our policy experts share key takeaways and way forward.

A woman collecting items from the distribution centre — ©2022 Elysé Andriamanantenasoa, Madagascar Cyclone response

A new era of humanitarian action

Start Network is made up of 134 humanitarian agencies across six continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs

About Start Network

Humanitarians distributing kits — © 2022 Cadena

10 YEARS OF START FUND

2024 marked a decade of impact for Start Network's Start Fund. Launched in 2014, the Start Fund has become a vital mechanism, empowering our circa 100 member organisations to deliver swift and anticipatory humanitarian action around the world.

Our reach

Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.

humanitarian workers organise a distribution of goods in Nepal

Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief

Drawing on ongoing research and the experience of the Start Network, this briefing outlines the impact of funding cuts on crisis-affected communities, examines how humanitarian organisations and the broader system are responding, and explores possible scenarios for the future of aid. It concludes with Start Network’s recommendations for action.

Community-led Innovation Toolkit

This toolkit is a practical guide for organisations seeking to design and deliver community-led innovation programmes. It walks users through five key phases of the innovation journey, from programme setup through to sustainability, and includes 26 tools that support everything from community engagement and risk mapping to idea development, prototyping, and scaling.

Early and rapid financing

We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.

Locally led action

Start Network’s vision is for a more balanced international aid system that is accountable to people affected by or at risk of crises.

Systems innovation

Start Network is based on innovation: looking for new ways to create the system change that will shape a more effective humanitarian system.

Where we work

Americas

Guatemala

Guatemala Hub

The Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
Venezuela

Flooding in South America

Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
Central and South America

Start Fund Response

Start Fund provides rapid response funding to under-the-radar, small to medium-scale crises, filling a critical gap in the humanitarian aid system.

Europe

Ukraine

The need for a more equitable humanitarian response

Start Network's approach to the Ukraine crisis is based on learning from other larger-scale crises that the Start Fund has responded to in the past.
Serbia, Bulgaria

Migration Emergency Response Fund

The objective of the MERF was to rapidly respond to acute and emerging gaps and changes in needs along migration route.
Greece, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia

European Refugee Response

Start Network co-ordinated a two phase response to the European Refugee Crisis through ERR1 and ERR2.

Africa

DRC

DRC Hub

The mission of the DRC Hub is to build a proactive operating system to mitigate the impact of natural, man-made and other disasters,
Somalia

Somali Humanitarian Hub

The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
South Sudan

South Sudan Hub

The South Sudan Hub comprises local, national, and international NGOs, advocating for a humanitarian architecture characterised by dependable, flexible, adequate, and needs-based funding.

Asia

Bangladesh, Nepal

National Start Funds

National Start Funds are there to finance locally led humanitarian action, with members managing their own funds for the benefit of their own communities.
India

INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB

IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across India.
The Philippines, Bangladesh

FOREWARN

The Forecast-based, Warning, Analysis, and Response Network aims to quickly bring together the right people to predict disasters and support humanitarians closest to an anticipated crisis.

Oceania

Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati

Pacific Region Hub

The Pacific Humanitarian FALE is working to engage locally led humanitarian actors so that they can provide services that ensure the lives of people are safeguarded in any crisis.
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati

THE LOCALISATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN THE PACIFIC

Josie Flint from HAG speaks about the work they have been doing and the influence that the Start Network has had on this.
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati

Assembly held in Fiji, FALE-PASIFIKA

The word "fale" refers to a house that is meaningful and has a purpose when people occupy it.

Our members

Qatar Charity

Islamic Relief

Caritas Sri Lanka

Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)

Caritas Goma

War Child

Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme

Caritas Bangladesh

Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)

AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)

Humanitarian Aid International

Oxfam GB

Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society

Cohesion Foundation Trust

Agricultural Development Association (PARC)

National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)

Yuganter

Concern Worldwide (UK)

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)

SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)

Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)

Doctors of the World

People in Need (PIN)

Doaba Foundation

Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)

Plan International

Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar

Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)

Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)

Wajir South Development Association

GOAL

AAINA

ActionAid

Community World Service Asia

Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)

Azat Foundation

Muslim Hands UK

MIDEFEHOPS ASBL

Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society

Trócaire

EHSAR Foundation

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

Caritas India

World Jewish Relief

Relief International

Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)

World Vision

AJSA India

Veer Development Organization

Solidarités International

Age International

Youth Organization

North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)

VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.

Cordaid

Rural Development Foundation (RDF)

PRO-VIDA

Nari Development Organization (NDO)

Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)

Farmers Development Organization

Rural Development Organization Buner

Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops

CADENA

Sami Foundation

MEDAIR

Dorcas Aid International

Community Development Foundation (CDF)

Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)

EHD

Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)

Muslim Aid

Welfare Association Jared

ACTED

Action Against Hunger UK

Save the Children UK

Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)

Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)

Help Foundation

Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)

Christian Aid

Environmental Protection Society (EPS)

TearFund

Manzil Organization Balochistan

LASOONA

Care International UK

Cesvi

HelpAge International UK

Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)

Updates

All updates

2nd July 2025

Live Alerts

Activated

Not allocated

Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief

Community-led Innovation Toolkit

Americas

Americas

Europe

Europe

Africa

Africa

Asia

Asia

Oceania

Oceania

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